Just
before Christmas I was sent a really charming story entitled Jolly Old
St. NICU from one of our Dads along with some great photos it is currently
on the PreemieCare site and I hope that you enjoy it! http://www.preemiecare.org/jollynicu.htm

I
am sorry I did not share this with you before now. I hope that you enjoy
it as much as I did and would love to hear from other MOST / PreemieCare
families and professionals on their experiences in the NICU and what they
would like to see available for families (and their relatives and friends)
to have available online in order to help them through this experience
and to support them as they leave and thrive outside of the NICU.

I
am ALWAYS looking for parents and professionals who would like to become
more involved in developing this website as a sort of clearinghouse of
information, resources and support for families, organizations and professionals
associated with babies born preterm. If you think you might be interested
in taking on a leadership role as PreemieCare continues to grow in this
coming year please let me know- I would love your input and help. There
are plenty of ways you can contribute!

Thanks
and I hope to hear from you again soon!

Happy
New Year to All!!

Starting
the New Year Healthy: Protecting your newborn from complications of RSV

In
early autumn I had the opportunity to participate in a telephone press
briefing regarding Preemies and the upcoming RSV season: how parents could
prepare and what they should know in advance. Now that we are smack in
the middle of the cold, flu, RSV season (otherwise known as WINTER!) it
may be a good time for those of us who are in contact with newborns (in
particular babies born preterm) to review ways we can help protect our
precious infants against RSV.

If
you have ANY questions regarding your preterm infant, RSV or additional
resources please do not hesitate to contact us either through our websites:
www.PreemieCare.org
or www.MOSTonline.org
or by calling the number listed below.

Minimize
your preemie’s exposure to the virus by keeping him or her away
from:
Anyone with a cold or “flu-like” illness - yourself, caregivers,
siblings and strangers
Brothers and sisters, especially if they have a runny nose, cold or
fever, or attend day care or school
Crowded areas, such as shopping centers and restaurants
Group day care situations during RSV season

Never
let anyone smoke around the baby.

Call
your pediatrician right away if your preemie:
Develops a cold
Has fast breathing or breathing problems, wheezing, worsening cough,
or blue appearance around the mouth or fingernails (a sign of low oxygen
levels in the blood)
Develops a fever of more than 100.4°F in the first three months,
more than 101°F between 3 and 6 months, or more than 103°F after
6 months

Ask
your doctor about Synagis® (palivizumab), a medication injected
monthly during fall and winter to prevent severe RSV infection in high-risk
children. (See below for important information about Synagis.)

If
hospitalized during RSV season, talk to your health care professional
about your preemie receiving a Synagis dose during his or her hospital
stay or 48 to 72 hours before discharge, and a follow-up shot every
30 days until RSV season ends.

If
your baby has an RSV infection, make sure he or she gets plenty of rest
and drinks lots of clear fluids.

Ask
your doctor about getting an annual influenza vaccine for your high-risk
infant (beginning at 6 months of age) and all close contacts. Reprinted with permission from: www.lungprotection.com

Please
consider sharing your family’s story: This
is My Preemie- We have come a long way!

We
are currently compiling Newborn and Current photos- (once a preemie always
a preemie in a mother’s heart) for our photo page.

“I
see my trio- all taller than me now- and in a heart beat I can envision
our NICU experience.” In a moment, a mother’s heart can be
transported back.

We
ask that you consider sharing your preemie’s (your family’s)
story on where you have been and where you are today! Please send your
comments to and photos (3 photos maximum per email) to info@preemiecare.org